High Court Bans Mercury Use in Gold Mining

The Peshawar High Court has imposed a ban on the use of mercury in gold mining operations in Kohat, citing environmental and health risks.

A two-member bench, led by Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed, reviewed a petition filed by former MPA Amjad Khan Afridi and others from Kohat.

Their lawyer, Nauman Mohibullah Kakakhel, informed the court that mercury is used during gold extraction in the region, causing severe environmental damage.

The toxic waste is being discharged into the Indus River, polluting water sources and harming agricultural land nearby. The petitioners highlighted that mercury use poses serious risks to humans, animals, and plants while degrading farmland.

They argued that it is the government’s responsibility to provide citizens with a clean and safe environment, and the use of mercury violates the Environmental Protection Act. They called for the practice to be declared illegal and urged stricter regulations to prevent future harm.

After hearing the arguments, the court placed an immediate ban on mercury use in gold mining and issued notices to the Minerals Department, asking for a detailed response at the next hearing.